pending question; unresolved problem
cunning (acquired with age); astute; crafty; sly; wily
to level (earth); to cut through (a mountain); to split (the opposition); to break (strike)
outskirts (of a town); run-down district
leak of official secrets; leaking of confidential information
breach of faith; breach of trust; act of disloyalty
trivial; trifling; insignificant; stupid; nonsensical; absurd
to lean (something) against; to set against; to prop up against
one's social standing; one's position; one's place; one's station in life
performance (e.g. music, dance, drama); something done (just) for show; theatre; performance (of a computer, car, investment, etc.)
to put one's life on the line
to bend by twisting; to twist; to contort; to distort (e.g. the truth); to twist (e.g. someone's words)
showy but worthless; impressive-looking but without substance; all show and no substance; not as good as it looks; deceptive
strict; close; precise; scrupulous
raising one's hand; show of hands (e.g. for a vote); salute
moving slowly (and dull-wittedly)
calculation; self-interest; selfishness
to lend; to loan; to let out on hire
to rank (as); to occupy (a position); to be located (in); to be situated
technical; technological; practical
superiority; predominance
to shake; to waver; to tremble
to apply pressure (on); to bring pressure upon; to lean on
shelter; safe shelter; evacuation shelter; place of refuge
otherwise; or else; if not
to work hard; to work diligently; to do one's best; to try one's hardest
worldly wisdom; secret of success in life
to be different from what was previously said; to be different from what was promised
providing information; provision of information; information provision
indefinite; hazy; vague; unsettled; undecided
chief clerk (in a shop, managing affairs on the owner's behalf); head clerk; store manager
secret meeting; clandestine meeting
good outward appearance; looking nice; being attractive; making a fine show
to boast; to brag; to feign ignorance; to pretend not to know; to recite (a song or poem to oneself); to bark
personal (employee); employed; retained
to feel keenly; to strike to the core; to touch to the quick; to pierce deep inside (e.g. of cold)
gun; firearm; small arms (e.g. rifle, pistol, etc)
trigger (of a gun, etc.); trigger (for something); immediate cause
accusation; complaint; charge; suit; legal action; legal proceedings